Life and politics from the Sunshine State's best city

Ritch Workman - page 7

Gov. Rick Scott today signed into law legislation that will move Florida’s 2016 presidential primaries back two weeks, from March 1 to March 15. Scott’s approval of HB 7035, shepherded by state Rep. Ritch Workman and state Sen. Garrett Richter in their respective legislative chambers, puts Florida in position to take advantage of new Republican National Convention rules allowing states to adopt a winner-take-all primary in which all delegates are awarded to the winner, as opposed to meted out piecemeal according to proportion…

Melbourne businessman Brian Hodgers will run for House District 52 next November, according to the Florida Division of Elections. In a statement, Hodgers voiced his commitment to the conservative tenets that are dominant in today’s Florida House. “I am committed to making sure Florida’s economy remains strong, and the best way to do that is to make sure government stays out of the way,” said Hodgers in an announcement. “Eliminating government red tape and cutting wasteful spending are essential to making sure entrepreneurs and employees…

A bill moving back Florida’s presidential primaries from March 1 to March 15 — the Ides of March — passed the Florida House this afternoon by a 114-0 vote. The move, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tem Ritch Workman, allows Florida Republicans to take advantage of new national party rules that lets states that hold primaries after March 14 to award all primary delegates to the winner of that state’s primary, as opposed to apportioning them according to percentage of vote-share earned.…

From the Tallahassee Democrat: A selection of legislators who have acted in the interest of Florida’s Sunshine Laws or who have sponsored bills that are contrary to them. Champions: •Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland. Dockery is Senate sponsor of a bill to enact the recommendations of the Governor’s Commission on Open Government. She was a member of the commission. •Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, D-Sarasota. House sponsor of a bill that would open the legislative process, particularly budget negotiations. •Rep. Clay Ford, R-Gulf…